Cuttings-removing mechanism



Aug. Z4, 1954 E. slMMoNs CUTTINGS-REMOVING MECHANISM Filed May 25, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet l Ray 1.

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CUTTINGs-REMOVING MECHANISM Filed May 1K5, 1947 5 Sheets-51196114 army.

Allg. 24, 1954 L.. E. slMMoNs 2,687,288

CUTTINGS-REMOVING MECHANISM Filed May 23, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Aug. 24, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE CUTTINGS-REMOVING MECHANISM Leon E. Simmons, Glaremont, N. H., assignor to Joy Manufacturing Company, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application May 23, 1947, Serial No. 750,039

vnism for removing the cuttings from the kerf cutter of a coal mining machine, and especially designed for use with a coal cutting machine of the room and pillar type.

In-modern coal mining machines, such as those of the high capacity room and pillar type, the cuttings created by the kerf cutter of the machine during the cutting operation are carried back from the kerf by the kerf cutter, and the cuttings accumulate so rapidly at the rear end of the machine that it is practically impossible to keep the rear end of the kerf cutter clear by hand shovels, so that a substantial quantity of cuttings pile up and are carried back into the kerf by the kerf cutter, thereby substantially reducing emciency of the machine. It is within the contemplation of the present invention to provide an improved cuttings-removing mechanism embodied in a coal mining machine and driven by the machine motor for mechanically removing the cuttings from the vicinity of the rear end of the kerf cutter and for ejecting the cuttings from the rear end of the machine; T he mechanism is of a relatively large capacity while-retaining simplicity and ruggedness, and is well capable of long periods of operation without clogging or excessive wear.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved cuttings-removing mechanism adapted for association with a coal mining machine for removing the cuttings from the vicinity of the kerf cutter and for ejecting the cuttings from the rear end of the machine. Another object is to provide an improved cuttings-removing mechanism which is embodied in the coal mining machine and driven, in an improved manner, from the machine motor. A further object is to provide an improved cuttings-removing mechanism which embodies an oscillatory cuttingsmoving and ejecting device movable in horizontal planes at the rear end of the machine for moving the cuttings rearwardly away from the cutter chain and for positively ejecting them rearwardly from the machine. A still further object is to provide an improved cuttings-removing mechanism embodying a horizontally movable pusher blade or paddle device having its ends connected to actuating means whereby the pusher blade or paddle device may be moved through an orbital path to engage, move rearwardlyand eject the cuttings. Still another object is to provide an improved oscillatory paddle structure supported and actuated at its ends by oppositely moving 2 cranks whereby the ends of the paddle device are moved in orbital paths to move and eject the cuttings. A further object is to provide an improved cuttings-removing mechanism embodying an oscillatory paddle device having cooperating parts in sliding engagement so that the length of the paddle device may be varied as the paddle device is actuated. Yet another object is to provide an improved cuttings-removing mechanism having a paddle or pusher blade mounted in a cuttings-receiving chamber to oscillate in horizontal planes at the rear end of a coal mining machine and so arranged that the opposite ends of the paddle or blade alternately serve to move the cuttings rearwardly from the opposite sides of the chamber in which the paddle is arranged. A further object is to provide an improved cuttingsremoving mechanism having novel features of construction and a novel arrangement and combination of parts. These and other objects and advantages of theI invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown for purposes of illustration one form which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings: y

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a coal mining machine equipped with a cuttings-removing mechanism constructed in accordance with a preferred illustrative embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the mining machine and cuttings-removing mechanism shown in Fig. 1L

Fig. 43 is an'enlarged fragmentary rear end elevational view of the mining machine and cuttings-removing mechanism of Figs. l and 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view in central longitudinal vertical section taken substantially on line 5 5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on line 6-6 of Fig. 3, on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on line '1 1 of Fig. 3, on a different scale.

' Fig. 8 is a detail vertical sectional view taken on line 8--8 of Fig. 6.

Figs. 9, 10 and l1 are fragmentary horizontal sectional views similar to Fig. 7, respectively showing different positions of the cuttings ejecting paddle and drive cranks.

In this illustrative embodiment of the invention, as shown in the drawings, the improved cuttinge-removing mechanism is generally designated I and is shown embodied in a coal mining machine of the flexibly fed, room and pillar, floor cutter type, generally designated 2, for removing the cuttings from the vicinity of the kerf cutter and for ejecting the cuttings rearwardly from the machine. Evidently, the improved cuttingsremoving mechanism may be associated with mining machines of other types and Aemployed for other purposes.

The coal mining machine may be of the same general design as that disclosed in my Patent No. 2,349,311, granted May 23, 1944. The mining machine as disclosed hereincomprises a machine frame 3 mounted on a bottom plate or shoe Il slidable over the floor of a mine. Extending longitudinally throughout the length of the lower portion of the machine frame is a chamber having arranged therein the rearward portion of an elongated kerf cutter ii secured tothe frame and comprising an elongated horiaontalplane cutter bar l, having guided for circulation about its margin .an endless cutter chain 8. The machine may be fed andguided, both during maneuvering and the kerf cutting operation, by feeding and controlling ydrurns 8 and l2, arranged on horizontal axes at opposite sides of the machine frame and having respectively wound thereon feeding and controlling cables il and I2. Carried by the machine frame atthe forward end thereof is a motor I3 having its power shaft operatively connected to a large bevel gear I4 (see Fig. 5) connectible, by a conven tional slidingclutch I5 having suitable operating means, to a vertical shaft I8 which, in turn, drives a conventional chain sprocket engaging and driving the endless cutter chain 8. The motor power shaft is also operatively connected to the feeding and controlling drums, in .a manner fully described in the patent above referred to, to effect rotation of the drums in cable winding direction, and means is provided for braking rotation of the controlling vdrum in cable unwinding direction when it is disconnected'from its drive.

The feeding and controlling cables II and l2 may be extended from the drums 9 and In around appropriately located guidesheaves on the machine in a conventional manner and may be led from opposite sides of the machine to suitable anchor jacks located `at the ribs of the room of a mine. The cutter chain may be connected by the clutch I5 in driven relation with the motor I3 to eifect rapid circulation of the cutter chain about the margin of the cutter bar, and as the cables are wound in by their respective drums, the cutter bar may be sumped beneath the coal at the right hand rib Vand the cutter bar may thereafter be fed by the feed cable transversely across the coal face, under the guidance of the control cable l2, to cuta horizontal kerf beneath the coal, and finally the cutter bar may be withdrawn from beneath the coal at the left hand rib by the feed cable to complete the cut. .The feed drum effects feed of the machine and the controlling drum serves to guide the machine with respect to the coal face during Vthe kerf cutting operation in manners well known to those skilled in the art. During .the kerf cutting operation, the cuttings created by the cutter chain are carried back from the kerf by the cutter chain through the chamber 5 extending through the lower portion of the machine frame to discharge at the rear end of the machine. Since the mode of operation of a room and pillar coal cutting machine disclosed is well known and is fully described in the patent above referred to, further description thereof is herein unnecessary.

The cuttings-removing mechanism I is embodied in the rear end of a coal mining machine and is mounted on a prolongation 2G of the bottom skid or shoe 4 of the machine frame, and the frame portion 28 has a chamber 2I, open at its rear side and which forms a continuation of the chamber :5 within which the rearward portion of the kerf cutter B is arranged, as shown in Fig. 5, and the cuttings are discharged from the machine frame chamber into the frame-portion chamber. Suitably xed to the hub 22 of the bevel gear I4 is a bevel gear 23, meshing with and driving a bevel gear 24 integral with a horizontal stub shaft 25. The shaft 25 is received in and keyed to a cylindrical coupling member 225 suitably journaled in bearings supported within a longitudinal bore 2'I arranged within the machine frame centrally between the outer sides thereof. The rearward portion of the coupling member 25 projects within an aligned bore .28 in agear housing 29, suitably rigidly secured to the machine frame and to the top of the frame portion 20, and .coupled at 30 to the coupling member 26 is a coupling member 3l, herein fixed to a longitudinal shaft 32, suitably journaled within the gear housing 29. Interlocked at 33 to the rear portion of the shaft 32 are clutch disks 3f?. which are interleaved with clutch disks 35 interlocked at 3S with a cylindrical casing 3l, herein preferably formed integral with a tubular shaft 38. The shaft 38 is arranged .coaxial with and surrounds the shaft 32 and supports bearings in which the shaft 32 is journaled (see Fig. 5). The shaft 38 is suitably journaled within bearings supported within the gear hou.,- ing. The clutch casing 37 is arranged in a cham ber 48- in the gear housing, and this chamber is closed at its rear endA by a detachable cover plate fil, secured, as -by screws, to the housing. This cover plate Vhas a rearward threaded projection 132 with which the internally threaded hub 43 of a hand wheel 44 is engaged. Slidable in a bore 45 in the projection 42 .is a plunger d5, `urged inwardly by a spring lll acting between the inner wall of the plunger and a thrust bearing 48 recessed within the wheel hub 43. This plunger acts on a pressure plate 8 which, in turn, engages a thrust bearing 5 through which pressure is applied to the clutch disks. When the hand wheel hub is screwed inwardly upon hand wheel rotation, the clutch disks 35, 35 are moved into frictional contact to apply the clutch through the spring 4l, plunger 46, pressure plate 49 and the thrust bearing 5D, to connect the tubular shaft 38 to the shaft 32 for driving thereby. The disk clutch, when applied, rotates with the shafts, but the lthrust bearing 58 permits rotation between the rotating disks and the relatively stationary clutch operating parts. Keyed to the shaft between its bearings is a worm 52, meshing with worm wheels 53 and 54 at its opposite sides to drive the worm wheels in relatively opposite directions. As shown in Fig. 4, the worm wheels 53 and 54 are -keyed to parallel vertical shafts 55 and 56 respectively. These shafts are,

suitably journaled within the gear housing 29 and are arranged with their axes spaced equidistantly from the longitudinal center of the machine and lying in a common transverse vertical plane. Secured to the lower ends of the shafts 55 and 5B below a horizontal plate 51 of the gear housing, which provides the top wall of the chamber 2l, are eccentrics or crank arms 58 ranged 180 apart and are pivotally connected at '6| and B2 respectively to the opposite ends of an oscillatory paddle or pusher plate device G3, herein arranged vertically edgewise in the chamber 2| and extending a substantial distance cross the chamber 2| and extending vertically a substantial portion of the height of the chamber below the crank arms. This paddle or pusher plate device, as the cranks are driven in relatively opposite directions, oscillates in horizontal planes in the chamber 2| with its ends moving in relatively opposite directions in orbital paths, and comprises a main paddle or plate member 65 and a connecting paddle or plate member 66. The paddle members are relatively reciprocable, and the member 66 has a horizontal guideway 61 extending lengthwise thereof for receiving a guide 68 on the member B5, as shown in Figs. 6 and 8. The relatively reciprocable paddle or plate members 65, 65 have, at their opposite ends, projections 69 and 10 respectively which are suitably shaped to facilitate penetration of the cuttings as the paddle is oscillated, and the connecting paddle member 65 has an inward projection 'H at the inner side of the paddle device and arranged vertically at right angles to the path of relative reciprocation of the parts 65, 66, andthis projection, as the paddle is oscillated, moves in relatively opposite directions across the central portion of the chamber 2| at the inner side of the paddle device to move the cuttings laterally lin opposite directions away from the cutter chain. The casing portion 20 is cut away at 12 at its opposite vertical sides to permit discharge of portions of the cuttings, as the paddle is oscillated, laterally through the sides of the frame. Journaled at the rear side of the plate 51 of the gear housing on parallel vertical axes are three guide sheaves 13, 'I4 and 15, two arranged at the opposite sides of the gear housing and the third arranged at the horizontal center of the gear housing, and the feeding and controlling cables Il and I2 of the machine feeding means may be extended from the drums 9 and Ill about these sheaves during certain operations of the machine.

The mode of operation of the improved cuttings-removing mechanism is as follows: During operation of the coal mining machine, while cutting a horizontal kerf in the coal near the ilool' level, the cuttings created by the cutter chain are removed rearwardly through the chamber 5 in the lower portion ofthe machine frame, and as the cutter chain moves in the rear portion of its orbit around the chain drive sprocket, the cuttings are discharged into the chamber 2| of the casing portion 2D of the cuttings-removing mechanism. When the disk clutch 34, 35 is applied, the crank arms 58, 59 are driven in relatively opposite directions, with their crank pins 180 apart, through the bevel gearing I4, 23, 24, the coupling members 26 and 3|, the shaft 32, the disk clutch, the shaft 38, and the worm gearing 52, 53 and 54. I'he crank pins, as they move orbitally about the axes of the crank shafts 55, 56, effect oscillation of the pad-dle or pusher plate device 63 in horizontal planes in the chamber 2| roughly in a figure eight fashion, with the I and 59 respectively, each having an eccentric portion or crank pin B0. 'Ihese crank pins are artoward its eiective cuttings engaging position, and the positions of the ends of the paddle alternate as the paddle device is oscillated. The inward projection 1|, as the paddle device is oscillated, moves laterally angularly in opposite directions to move the cuttings in the central portion of the chamber 2| at the rear side of the paddle laterally in opposite directions away from the longitudinal center of the cutter chain thereby to eliminate a dead space which might pack with cuttings. Thus, as the crank arm 59 rotates in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 9, the projection 1| moves the cuttings at the rear side of the paddle laterally toward the right. Conversely, as the crank arm 58, as viewed in Fig. l1, rotates in a counterclockwise direction, the projection 1| moves the cuttings at the rear side of the paddle laterally toward the left. Since the crank pins 50, 6|) of the crank arms are arranged 180 apart with respect to the crank arm axes and move in relatively opposite directions about the crank arm axes, the length of the paddle device 63 between the crank pins varies during its oscillatory motion, and the relatively sliding parts 55, 56 of the paddle compensate for such changes in length. The end projections `|59 and 'lll on the opposite ends of the paddle aid in the penetration of the cuttings. As the crank arms 5d and 59 revolve, one end portion of the paddle engages and moves rearwardly the cuttinge at one sideof the chamber 2| while the other end portion of the paddle moves back-within the chamber, and then the movements of the end portions of the paddle are reversed, so that the cuttings are moved rearwardly alternately from the opposite sides of the chamber 2|. Thus, as the paddle device 63 is oscillated, the end portions of the paddle device are alternately moved rearwardly in the chamber 2| to eject the cuttings rearwardly through the open rear end of the casing at opposite sides of the chamber. The oscillatory paddle device ejects the cuttings rearwardly into the bottom of the pile at the rear end of the machineso that the` creation of dust is minimized.

As a result of this invention, an improved cuttings-removing mechanism is provided which may be 4embodied in a coal cutting machine and ends thereof moving in relatively opposite directions in orbital paths, so that as one end of the paddle device moves rearwardly to move and eject the cuttings from one side of the chamber 2|, the other end of the paddle device moves inwardly be driven by `the machine motor and operate to move the cuttings carried Aback within the machine by the kerf cutter and effectively to eject' them from the rear end of the machine. By the provision of the oscillatory paddle device actuated at its ends to move horizontally in opposite directions in an irregular path, the cuttings moved rearwardly within the machine are engaged by the paddle device and are moved rearwardly and ejected from th-e machine. By driving the paddle device by oppositely rotating cranks having their crank pins set' 180 apart with respect toI the crank axes, the end portions of the paddle device are moved alternately in opposite direc-tions through orbital paths to eject the cuttings rearwardly from the casing.` The structure is relatively simple, involving buta few component parts, and is relatively rugged, well adapted to meet the severe demands of service in an underground coal mine. These and other manners of use and advantages of the improved cuttingsremoving mechanism will be clearly apparent to those skilled in this art.

While there isin this application specifically described one form which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustrationandthat 1theinvention may be modied and embodiednin various other forms without departing from .its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as .new and desire to Secure by Letters-Patent is:

1. A cuttings-removing mechanism adapted for association with a coal-mining machine of the kind having orbitally moving kerf cutting devices guided for circulation in a cuttings-receiving chamber within the frame of the machine comprising a casing having a chamber for receiving the cuttings moved rearwardly in said framechamber by said cutting devices, and cuttingsmoving and ejecting means in said casing-chamber formoving the cuttings rearwardly therein and for ejecting the cuttings therefrom comprising a relatively narrow, upright, oscillatory pusher blade device movable horizontally in said casing-chamber, and supporting and driving means for said pusher blade device mounted on said casing and connected to the remote ends of said blade device for supporting the latter in said casing-chamber and for oscillating said blade device to effect lconcurrent movement of said ends thereof orbitally in relatively opposite directions with one end of said blade device moving inwardly in said casing-chamber as the other end thereof moves outwardly therein whereby said device is oscillated with a continuous rocking motion with-the -ends of said device moving alternately rearwardly to move and eject the cuttings as aforesaid, said pusher blade devi-ce being extensible and changeable in length during oscillation thereof as aforesaid and comprising cooperating relatively reciprocable blade-portions in guided engagement with each other, said driving means which is connected to the remote ends of said blade device 'effecting relative reciprocation of said blade-portions as said blade device is oscillated as aforesaid.

2. A cuttings-removing mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein said driving means for said extensible blade device which is connected to the remote ends of the `latter comprise power driven cranks journaled on said casing for rotation on vertical parallel axes spaced equidistantly from the longitudinal vertical center of said casing and having'crank pins set at 180 apart and pivotally engaging the remote ends of said reciprocable blade-portions.

3. A cuttings-removing mechanism adapted for association with a coal mining machine of the kind having orbitally moving kerf cutting devices guided for circulation in a cuttings-receiving chamber within the frame of the machine comprising a casing having a chamber for receiving the cuttings moved rearwardly in said framechamber by said cutting devices, and cuttingsmoving and ejecting means in said casingchamber for moving the cuttings rearwardly therein and for ejecting the cuttings therefrom comprising a relatively. narrow, upright, oscillatory pusher blade device movable horizontally in said casing-chamber, and supporting and driving means for said pusher blade device mounted on said casing and connected to the remote ends of said blade device for supporting the latter in said casing-chamber and for oscillating said blade device to effect concurrent movement of said ends thereof orbitally in relatively opposite directions with one end of -said blade device moving inwardly in said casing-chamber as the other end thereof moves outwardly therein whereby said device is oscillated with a continuous rocking motion with the ends of said device moving alternately rearwardly to move and eject the cuttings as aforesaid, said pusher blade device being extensible and changeable in length during oscillation thereof as aforesaid and comprising cooperating relatively reciprocable blade-portions in guided engagement with each other, said driving means for said pusher blade-portions having its connections with the latter varying in distance apart as said blade device is oscillated as aforesaid.

4. A cuttings-removing mechanism adapted for association with a coal mining machine of the kind having orbitally moving kerf cutting devices guided for circulation in a cuttings-receiving chamber within the frame of the machinecomprising a casing having a chamber for receiving the cuttings moved rear-wardly in said framechamber by said cutting devices, and cuttingsmoving and ejecting means in said casing-chamber for moving the cuttings rearwardly therein and for ejecting the cuttings therefrom comprising a relatively narrow, upright, oscillators7 pusher blade device movable horizontally in said casing-chamber, and supporting and driving means for said pusher blade device mounted on said casing and connected to the remote ends of said blade device for supporting the latter in said casing-chamber and for oscillating said vblade device to effect concurrent movement of said ends thereof orbitally in relatively opposite directions with one end of said blade device moving inwardly in said casing-chamber as the other end thereof moves outwardly therein whereby said device is oscillated with a continuous rocking motion with the ends of said device moving alternately rearwardly to move and eject the cuttings as aforesaid, said pusher blade device comprising cooperating blade elements movable with respect to each other lengthwise of said pusher blade device and said driving means effecting relative reciprocation of said elements as said blade device is oscillated as aforesaid.

5. A cuttings-removing mechanism adapted for association with a coal mining machine of the kind having orbitally moving kerf cutting devices guided for circulation in a cuttings-receiving chamber within the frame of the machine comprising a casing having a chamber for receiving the cuttings moved rearwardly in said framechamber by said .cutting devices, and cuttingsmoving and ejecting means in said casing-chamber for moving the cuttings rearwardly therein and for ejecting the cuttings therefrom comprising a relatively narrow, upright, oscillatory pusher blade device movable horizontally in said casing-chamber, and supporting and driving means for said pusher blade device mounted on said casing and comprising power driven eccentric members movable in out-of-step relation and pivotally connected to the remote ends of said blade device, said eccentric members as they move in out-of-step relation effecting variations in the distance apart of the axes of said pivotal connections to said blade device, said eccentric members supporting said blade device in said casingchamber and movable as aforesaid for oscillating said blade Ydevice with a continuous rocking motion to move the ends of said device alternately rearwardly thereby to move and eject the cuttings as aforesaid, said cuttings-moving and ejecting means including elements relatively movable to accommodate the variations in the distance apart of the axes of said pivotal connections as said eccentric members move in out-of-step relation.

6. A cuttings-removing mechanism adapted for association with a coal mining machine of the kind having orbitally moving kerf cutting devices guided for circulation in a cuttings-receiving chamber within the frame of the machine comprising a casing having a chamber for receiving the cuttings moved rearwardly in said framechamber by said cutting devices, and cuttingsmoving and ejecting means in said casing-chamber for moving the cuttings rearwardly therein and for ejecting the cuttings therefrom comprising a relatively narrow, upright, oscillatory pusher blade device movable horizontally in said casing-chamber, and supporting and driving means for said pusher blade device mounted on said casing and connected to the remote ends of said blade device for supporting the latter in said casing-chamber and for oscillating said blade device with a continuous rocking motion to move the ends of said device alternately rearwardly thereby to move and eject cuttings as aforesaid, said pusher blade devce having a vertical projection at its inner side and extending inwardly in said casing-chamber towards said kerf cutting devices and movable horizontally back and forth as said blade device is oscillated as aforesaid for moving the cuttings at the inner side of said blade device laterally in opposite directions away from the adjacent portions of said cutting devices. y

References cited in the me of this patent UNITED sTATEs PATENTS Number Name Date 1,578,505 Fetzer Mar. 30, 1926 1,616,597 Pray Feb. 8, 1927 1,692,862 Pray Nov. 27, 1928 1,871,676 Ermold Aug. 16, 1932 2,217,982 Heil et a1 Oct. 15, 1940 2,302,461 Richards Nov. 17, 1942 2,335,921 Doberstein Dec. 7, 1943 2,359,252 Seibert Sept. 26, 1944 2,359,422 Jeirey Oct. 3, 1944 

